A VALUABLE SUGGESTION
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "EVEING NEWS."
SIR-Having travelled in many parts of England, and also in foreign countries, I have had many opportunities of observing the difference in protection to the varied inhabitants, and my observations lead me to the conclusion that England is much behind other countries in this respect. Our police force doubtless is considerable, and the rate we pay for their supervision is somewhat heavy, but for all that, it does not appear that the force, for which we pay so heavily, is sufficient for the onerous duties devolving on them. To supplement this force, would it not be competent for the authorities to appoint a certain number of our soldiers, who seem to have a large portion of time unoccupied each day, to perform extra duties during the nights-if not of the days-in the shape of patrolling certain district which appear to be but imperfectly guarded, and thus render impossible such atrocious crimes as are now agitating the public mind? The Guard de Paris is a case in point. If this suggestion were carried out, it appears to me it could be done at little (if any) extra expense. If you can find space in your valuable paper, of which I am a constant and interested reader, you will greatly oblige.-I am , &c., B. F.
SIR-Your columns, I am well aware, exercise a wide-spreading and beneficial influence, and if you will pardon the liberty I take in suggesting it, I think you would do well to follow in the steps of a powerful morning contemporary, and endeavour to arouse the people of this country to a sense of the almost imminent peril in which they stand at the present period. On every side of us the outlook is, if not absolutely black, at least most gloomy and disquieting. The average Englishman goes on from day to day, following his profession or trade with a light heart and a busy mind, cheerfully paying for that which he does not obtain, and ignoring everything in pursuit of his own individual aims. His eyes are closed to all outside his immediate business and family circle, and if one happens to mention to him anything about England being in danger he laughs and boisterously exclaims that, "Old England is Old England still, and could lick the whole world as of yore." His blissful ignorance of the perilous position his country (and even he personally) standing, nothing short of amazing. He reads his newspaper truly, but politics, especially foreign, are not in his line. He thinks more of the probable results of the St. Leger. He considers in some sense England, but forgets the British Empire upon which England exists. He has read history and carefully stored up in his mind that, "Britannia rules the waves," which in reality she only does in a commercial sense. Now your contemporary has done its duty nobly, and endeavoured to open his eyes to the danger in which he is placed, but the agitation must not be allowed to die out like a spent rocket. Were two or more of the Continental Powers to sink temporarily their differences and attack this country, we should collapse like a house of cards, and be glad to get rid of the foreigner by payment of an enormous indemnity, which would cripple us financially and commercially, perhaps permanently, and we might possible be relegated to the position of a third-rate Power (if that) from, which humiliating state we could hardly ever hope to recover. A war with America would bring all those Powers with whom we have a question about our ears. Russia would either seize Constantinople, compensating Austria for a period, or complete her march in India and engage us there. France would call upon us to evacuate Egypt, perhaps as a pretext for a quarrel with greater ambitions in view. Even Spain might take the opportunity of worrying us were she backed by France. The news would spread all over our vast Empire; and with seething rebellion in more than one spot, and Ireland an open enemy engaging a large portion of our forces, we could not possibly with our miserably inadequate armament cope with the tremendous odds with which we should have to contend, and national humiliation and our destruction would assuredly follow. The voice of earnest warning has been raised by those who must be well informed, and we can not shut our eyes and ears to the criticisms of men like Admiral Hornby, Lord Charles Beresford, Lord Wolseley and other. Tue they are not politicians, and are not in touch, as it were, with the Foreign Office, but nevertheless they know our strength, or rather our weakness, by personal and practical experience, and can well judge how we stand relatively with other Powers. The Truth is very plain. Our wealth and commerce have grown enormously the last fifty years, but our fighting strength has, if anything, diminished. This is not surprising, considering we allow the best of our blood to ooze out in emigration, and introduce the poisonous refuse of the Continent and fill our workhouses and prisons with the results of the played-out and obsolete doctrine of Free-Trade. We have the carrying trade of the world in our hands, and the contemplation of that fact alone should teach us what tremendous issues are involved, and what we have at stake. Yet this vast trade, the value of which is incalculable, could be cut up and arrested in a few days by a hostile fleet of swift cruisers. Our recent naval manoeuvers have sadly demonstrated the fact that our fleet is not even sufficiently strong to guard our own shores, which could be insulted and devastated with impunity in case of war with strong naval Powers. And who is to blame for all this? It is the accursed system of officialism and our political leaders, who are slaves to and support it, and it must be altered. When you can tell an Englishman that his country is at the mercy of this miserable system, which is absolutely incapable, and that he has neither the army nor navy for which he pays so liberally, and he will not believe you, but will go on the same quiet jog-trot laissez faire style, blindly leaving all to his rulers and whistling "Rule Britannia," it is only a disaster, the magnitude of which one shudders to contemplate, which will give him a rude awakening. The present state of things, if allowed to continue long, can but have one mournful termination-the greatest collapse and tragic downfall the world has ever seen. Doubtless the British Empire could not be broken up with ease, the struggle would be terrific and grand before the Englishman surrendered that which for hundreds of years he has been building up; but nonetheless it will come to pass unless he realizes the position he is in, and sets his house in order. We must at once, without haste or panic, utilize the enormous manufacturing power of this country in the production of ships, cannon, and small arms and war material, which should be available all over our Empire within a year. A magazine rifle of the most perfect pattern, with cartridges that will not jam. All other nations are armed to the teeth with the most perfect weapon which science and inventive genius can produce, waiting the inevitable struggle in which the whole world will take part and the like of which it has never before witnessed. Would to God we were prepared, but unfortunately it is not so. The Press must awaken the people to the Fool's paradise in which they slumber, and show them the dangerous and awful position in which they stand; and by doing so it will render the greatest service to mankind, for our present weakness is a temptation for other Powers to quarrel with us. You will doubtless think this is an exaggerated picture I have attempted to draw, and I wish i could think so too. I enclose my card, but not for publication.-I am &c. CONSTANT READER
The plea that we had in our columns the other day for a central mortuary for London has evidently had its effect, for we to-day find the Lancet writing as follows. A plea has been made for a central mortuary for London, or, rather, for a central morgue, where the dead may be exposed to view, as in the morgue in Paris. This demand is based upon the requirements of justice, and the argument is used that the victim of a murderer may have been seen by some passer-by at a moment which it may be important to fix in connection with other points in the case, and that the passer-by should have convenient opportunity for inspecting the dead, and correcting or confirming his impression that the person seen is the deceased; as evidence that this opportunity is now wanting, the story is told of the refusal of the police to allow the body of one of the recent Whitechapel victims to be seen. We may point out that, to meet a requirement of this kind, not one but several morgues would be needed. For the purpose of identification and for obtaining evidence, it is desirable that the body should be within easy access of the inhabitants of the district in which the crime is committed; but it is doubtful whether the exposure of the deceased to the public gaze would really aid in the detection of crime more than would the giving of facilities for the body to be inspected by those who can allege a sufficient reason for their desire. It is not desirable to make a public spectacle of the victim of a crime. In doing so, it is doubtful if there would be any other result than the gratification of a morbid curiosity which would not be without harm to the public morality. At the same time, the difficulty which is now said to stand in the way of the inspection of the body should be removed; but something more than the satisfaction of mere curiosity should be required in support of an application to enter a mortuary.
SIR-I cannot allow the indignant letter of "Ratepayer" to go unchallenged. The unfounded charges brought against Sir Charles Warren are simply abominable. The metropolis has never had a more competent, loyal and capable Commissioner than Sir Charles Warren. "Ratepayer" is evidently some heathenish individual by his following remark, "What do we want with a Psalm-smiting, Gospel-grinding, and Bible-punching specimen like Sir Charles Warren?" There is nothing to snub Sir Charles because of his Christian character. All the more honour to him. The noblest and greatest men this world has produced have been Christians, and not heathens.-I am, &c. NELSON
DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSING GIRL.
The following description has been circulated by the police of the girl Emma Potter, whose disappearance is connected with the mutilated arm found at Pimlico: Girl aged 17 years and of weak intellect; height, about 5ft.; complexion and hair fair. She was dressed in a brown cloak, black jacket with astrachan trimming, straw hat trimmed with lace and flowers, high lace boots. The whole of the clothing was much worn.
IMPORTANT STATEMENT.
A MAN WITH A KNIFE SEEN
IN HEATH STREET.
The Press Associations says: A statement was made last night to a reporter by a young person named [Boyd?], living in Heath-street, Commercial-road, [ ] which may possibly prove of some importance. While standing outside a neighbor's door, about 10.30 on Monday night, she heard her daughter, who was sitting on the doorstep, scream, and on looking round saw a man walk hurriedly away. The daughter states that the man peered into her face and she perceived a large knife at his side. A lady being opposite stated that a similar incident took place outside her house. The man was short of stature, with a sandy beard, and wore a cloth cap. The woman drew the attention of some men who were passing to the strange man and they pursued him some distance, until he turned up a bye street, and, assuming a threatening attitude, he suddenly disappeared.
The Central News Agency says: The bloodstained newspapers which were found in Bailey's yard, close to Hanbury-street, and upon which it is conjectured the Spitalfields murderer wiped his hands after committing his fearful crime, have been subjected to analysis and the stains this morning are certified to be those of human blood. The police who made the search state distinctly that the paper was not there when they made the search on Saturday, and though they have been closely cross-examined on this point, they adhere to their statement. Its not clear moreover that the murderer could have thrown the newspapers in the spot where they were found from the backyard in Hanbury-street, but if he threw the paper, which was rolled up into a round mass, over the wall, it might easily have been blown or kicked into the corner in which it was found. To-day the police precautions are even stronger than before, the murderer hitherto having selected Friday or Saturday for the commission of his crimes
Our Maidstone correspondent states that a Scotland-yard detective has arrived there and interviewed the commander of the Sussex Regiment, with a view to identifying the writing found on the envelope found on the murdered woman.
Inspector Chandler states that up to noon to-day no arrest had been made in connection with the Whitechapel murders. The expectation of an early arrest entertained by the police yesterday is somewhat less sanguine to-day. The police to-day are making enquiries as to the whereabouts of the pensioner who was said to have kept company with the murdered woman Chapman. All traces have been lost of him since Saturday last. Tim Donavan, who gave evidence at the inquest which connected this man with the deceased, says he is known by the name of Ted Stanley, but he does not know his occupation, while the watchman at the lodging-house in Dorset-street whence Chapman left on Saturday morning last and was not afterwards seen alive, assets that the pensioner went to the lodging-house on Saturday last as usual, and on being informed that Chapman had been murdered nearly fainted. The police think that he is keeping out of the way more from shame in having been associated with the deceased than from any fear that he has of being connected with the murder. It is more than probable also that he may be one of the regular attenders from the country at the Spitalfields Market, and will put in his usual appearance on Saturday. It is regarded as of considerable importance that Dr. Phillips, yesterday, established the fact that the deceased must have been lying in the back yard in Hanbury-street at least upwards of two hours before her body was found, and that young Richardson's evidence cannot, therefore, be relied on, this gives the police only about two hours to account for in connection with the disappearance of Chapman, and evidence is being sought as to her whereabouts during that time.
Special inquiries are being directed by the police to ascertain who was the writer of the envelope bearing the embossed stamp of the Sussex Regiment, a portion of which envelope was found on Chapman. It has just been ascertained that she had been in the habit of receiving similar letters.
MEETINGS OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEES.
A great deal of dissatisfaction exists in the whole district owing to the manner in which the coroner's inquest has been conducted. At a meeting of one of the local vigilance committees last night every member present expressed a decided opinion that the result of Mr. Phillips's post-mortem should have been given to the public at the earliest opportunity, so that his evidences to the character of the murder, the possible calling of the murderer, the kind of weapon used, and, more especially, the probable time at which the assassination took place and the assassin escaped, should have been subjected to thorough scrutiny by the best reasoning brains throughout the kingdom, in addition to giving other person a chance to exercise their vigilance.
It is pointed out now that the murder was committed at 4.30 on Saturday morning, and this is in all probability the exact time when the murderer, covered from head to foot with blood, left 29, Hanbury-street. Every one in the district is, therefore, appealed to to try and remember if such a man was seen round about there at the time mentioned. Dr. Phillips's evidence effectively disposed of the statement of Mr. Richardson, who said that the deceased was not in the yard at 5.15, for the doctor is absolutely certain that the murder was done in the yard, and about 4.30. The fact, therefore, is certain that Mr. Richardson, not suspecting the presence of the dead body, failed to notice it.
Dr. Forbes Winslow's suggestion of male decoys for the assassin has it is stated been acted upon extensively; it is quite certain that for two nights past three medical students have been out armed with revolver and dagger concealed in the dresses worn by them.
In addition to this the hapless women of the streets are themselves armed with knives, and two poor creatures this morning showed a reporter two formidable bowie-knives, which they would unquestionably use upon any man who attempted violence of a deadly character. A thin woman, pale, thin, and starving, said with evident sincerity, "Well, suppose I do get killed, it will be a good thing for me, for the winter is coming on, and the life is awful. I can't leave it; nobody would employ me." She had been 20 years on the streets of the East-end. She is well acquainted with the whole of the lower classes and their habits, and in common with many others of her class and the denizens of the lodging-houses generally feel certain that the murderer "does not belong to them."
It has been stated that the excitement is dying out in the district, but this is not by any means a fact, for it is hourly increasing although the indignation is of a quieter and more concentrated kind. This is evidenced by the great number of Vigilance Committees which are being daily inaugurated, and one of the largest holds its meetings nightly and receives dozens of members at every sitting. Money is no object whatever, and is cheerfully subscribed for the purpose of hunting down the murderer.
The following is a copy of one of the many notices issued by the Jewish section of inhabitants, the Jews in particular being thoroughly determined in the matter, owing to the dread engendered in the breasts of their wives of the criminal exercising his horrible proclivities upon them:
"Finding that in spite of murders being committed in our midst, our police force is still inadequate to discover the author or authors of the late atrocities, we, the undersigned have formed ourselves into a committee, and intend offering a substantial reward to any one, citizen or otherwise, who shall give such information as will bring the murderer or murderers to justice."
The statement by Piser, on Thursday, that had he been caught in Whitechapel on Saturday he would have been "torn to pieces" is perfectly true, and the same state of feeling exists in Whitechapel now as it did then. There is a general opinion that another murder is in store for the district, and should it be detected before the perpetrator can get away, the police will never be troubled with a "charge," for he will be rent limb from limb.
The theory that the succession of murders that have lately been committed in Whitechapel are the work of a lunatic appears to us to be by no means at present well established. We can quite understand the necessity for any murderer endeavoring to obliterate by the death of his victim his future identification as a burglar. Moreover, as far as we are aware, homicidal mania is generally characterized by the one single and fatal act, although we grant this may have been led up to by a deep-rooted series of delusions. It is most unusual for a lunatic to plan any complicated crime of this kind. Neither, as a rule, does a lunatic take precautions to escape from the consequences of his act; which data are most conspicuous in these now too celebrated case. The truth is, that under the circumstances nobody can do more than hazard a guess as to the probable condition of the mind of the perpetrator of these terrible tragedies. Until more evidence is forthcoming, it appears to us to be useless to speculate upon what can only at present be regarded as problematical.-Lancet
The following interesting letter to a contemporary discloses some startling facts connected with a French murderer; which bear upon theories of murders lately committed in the East End:
"Sir-At a time when public attention is fixed upon the weird series of murders in Whitechapel, it might be of interest to recall the singular case of Philippe, who was guillotined some 25 years ago in Paris, convicted of no-less than 10 murders of women, committed in Paris and other parts of France. This wretched being was a clerk in a well-known firm of chemists, and greatly respected. He was about 35 years of age, and fairly good looking. His manners were agreeable, and he was industrious and decidedly intelligent. He was frequently sent to different parts of Europe and the East as a commercial traveller. A series of mysterious murders in Paris and its neighborhood having attracted a great deal of attention, it seems that on one occasion, Philippe dropped a razor enveloped in tissue paper at the foot of one of his mistresses. The woman picked it up, and, being suspicious, made a pretext to leave the room, and immediately summoned the police. Philippe, on seeing the police enter the chamber, at once and without any hesitation gave himself up. 'It is of no use,' he said, 'this horrible mania has caused me so much agony that my life is unbearable. Yes,' he said, 'I am guilty not only of the murder of which everybody is speaking, but of many others.' In the course of his trial he was found guilty of 10 different murders of women, all of them of the same unfortunate class, and he confessed himself guilty of seven others, which he had perpetrated in foreign countries. He was evidently the victim of a horrible mania, and it was said that so great was his cunning he was never suspected by his employer or by any of his most intimate friends of being otherwise than a most inoffensive person. He even on occasions disguised himself in the pursuit of his awful pleasure, if so it can be called, as an organ grinder, and it was by his extraordinary dexterity that he evaded the police for so long a time.-Yours, &c., R. D.
"September 13"
RESUMED INQUEST.
The inquest on the body of the unfortunate woman, Annie Chapman, otherwise known as Annie Sievey, who was so brutally murdered and mutilated in Hanbury-street, on Saturday morning, the 8th inst., was resumed yesterday, at the Working Lads' Institute, Whitechapel-road, by Mr. Wynne Baxter.
The inquiry took place in the reading-room of the Institute, a spacious room with a moderate book-case at one end, under the care of a librarian, who keeps his post during the whole time ready to carry out his business of giving out books. A couple of tables at one side are placed for the use of the Coroner, and on his left-hand are the jurymen. The rest of the room is nearly filled with witnesses and reporters and their messengers. In this same room the inquiry on Mary Ann Nichols was held a week or two ago.
Inspector Chandler, of the H division of the police, said: On Saturday morning about ten minutes past six I was on duty in Commercial-street. At the corner of Hanbury-street I saw several men running up that street, and I beckoned to them. One of them said, "Another woman has been murdered." I at once went with him to 29, Hanbury-street. I went through the passage into the yard. There were several people in the passage, but not in the yard. I saw the body of the deceased lying on the ground on her back. Her head was towards the back wall of the house about two feet from the wall at the bottom of the steps. the face was turned on to the right side, and the left hand was resting on the left breast. The breast was not exposed. The right hand was by her side. The legs were drawn up, and the clothing was above the knees. Part of the intestines still connected with the body were lying above the right shoulder with some pieces of skin and flesh. There were also some pieces of skin over the left shoulder and a pool of blood. The body was lying parallel with the fencing, I remained there and sent for the divisional surgeon, Mr. Phillips, and to the police-station for the ambulance and other assistance. When the constables arrived I removed the people from the passage, and saw that no one touched the body until the doctor arrived. I obtained some sacking to cover the body.
The doctor arrived about half-past six, examined the body, and directed it to be removed to the mortuary. It was removed on the ambulance. After the body had been removed I found this piece of coarse muslin, a small-tooth comb, and a small comb in a paper case (produced). They were lying near the feet of the body. A small piece of paper-a portion of an envelope-was found near. It contained two pills. On the back of the envelope there was an embossed seal with the words "Sussex Regiment." On the other side there was the letter "M" in a man's handwriting. There was a postal mark on it, "London, Aug. 3, 1888." There was also another, but that was indistinct. There was no postage stamp.
Was there anything else in the yard?-There was a leather apron saturated with wet. It was about two feet from the tap.
Did you show it to the doctor?-Yes.
Anything else?-There was a box commonly used to hold nails. There were no nails in it. I also saw some flat steel bands. They have since been identified as part of the springs of a pair of leggings. The yard was partly earth and partly rough stones. It has never been properly paved.
Was there any appearance of a struggle?-No.
The palings in the yard-are they strongly erected?-No; quite the contrary. They may be strong enough to support the weight of a man getting over them.
There were stains of blood on the palings near the body. There were marks discovered on the wall of No. 25. They were noticed on Tuesday. Dr. Phillips has seen them. There were no marks of blood outside the yard or the passage. The others in the yard were only in the immediate neighborhood of the body. There were a few spots of blood on the wall at the head of the body.
Did you search the clothes of the deceased?-Yes, at the mortuary. The outside jacket, which was a long black one, had blood-stains around the neck. By the appearance of the jacket there did not seem to have been a struggle. The deceased wore two bodices, both of which were stained round the neck. A large pocket worn under the skirt was torn and empty. The two petticoats were stained very much, but not torn. I saw John Richardson in the course of the morning. He told me he had been at the house that morning about a quarter to five. He had looked into the yard to see if the cellar was all right. He said he was sure the deceased was not there at that time.
By a juryman: If Richardson went down the steps he must have seen the body. He told me he did not go down the steps at all. I heard him mention cutting his boot here. He said nothing to me about it.
Are you going to produce the man Stanley-the pensioner who used to visit the deceased woman every week? He is a most important witness.-We can't find him yet, but we are trying.
The Coroner: If the pensioner knows his own business I should think he would come forward himself.
Police-sergeant Vanner said he removed the body to the mortuary on the police ambulance.
Are you sure you took every piece of the body with you?-Yes, sir. I placed the body in the mortuary shed. I left it on the stretcher of the ambulance. Two females from 35, Dorset-street came to identify the body. Sergeant Thicke touched the clothing, and the women described it for me to write down. I did not see Sergeant Thicke touch the body.
Inspector Chandler, recalled: I reached the mortuary a few minutes after seven. The body did not appear to have been disturbed.
Robert Mansel: I have charge of the Whitechapel mortuary. On Saturday last I received the body of the deceased at the mortuary about seven o'clock. I was there most of the day. No one touched the body until the nurses came over and undressed it. I remained at the mortuary until the doctor arrived, and the door was locked. The police were in charge of it. No one touched the body except the nurses. I was not present when they laid the corpse out.
The Coroner: The fact is, gentleman, Whitechapel has no mortuary, and the body ought not to have been taken to this shed, which is a building attached to the work-house. There is a great want of mortuaries in the East-end; and at Wapping, where bodies are thrown up from the river, they have to be put up in boxes. With reference to a reward, I cannot speak officially, but I understand the Government have determined not to offer any more rewards, but to leave these cases in the hands of the police. That applies generally, and not specially to this case.
Witness continued: I was present when the doctor made the post-mortem examination. I found a handkerchief in the corner of the shed. The nurses must have taken off the woman's throat.
The Coroner: How do you know? Are you guessing?-Yes.
The Coroner: Well, but you may guess all wrong.
Timothy Donovan, the deputy of the lodging-house at 35 Dorset-street, recalled said: I recognize the handkerchief (produced) found by the last witness as the property of the deceased. She bought it of another lodger. She was wearing it on Saturday morning. She was wearing it round her neck three-cornerwise, and tied in front with one knot.
A Juryman: Would you recognize this man Stanley-the pensioner?-Yes. I don't know what his name is. I know Harry the hawker.
The Coroner: There is no actual evidence that the pensioner's name is Stanley. (To witness): When did you see him last?-On last Saturday. I did not hand him over to the police because he would not stay. I sent a man for the police, but the pensioner went away before the constable came.
Mr. George Baxter Phillips, divisional surgeon of the police, said: On Saturday morning I was sent for at 6.20 to go to 29, Hanbury-street, I found the dead body of a female in the possession of the police lying in the back yard on the left hand of the steps leading into the yard. The legs were brought up, the feet resting on the ground and the knees turned outwards. The face was swollen and turned on the right side, the tongue protruded between the front teeth, but not beyond the lips. The tongue was evidently much swollen. The small intestines and other portions of the stomach were lying on the right side on the ground above the right shoulder, attached by a coil of intestine to the rest of the stomach. There was a large quantity of blood, with a part of the stomach over the left shoulder. The body was cold except there was some remaining heat under the intestines left in the body. The stiffness of the body was not marked, but it had commenced. The throat was deeply cut. I noticed that the incision of the skin was ragged, and reached right round the neck. There were about six patches of blood on the back wall of the house, and on the wooden paling there were smears of blood corresponding to where the head lay. These were about 14 inches from the ground, clotted blood was near the severed throat of the deceased. At two o'clock of the same day I went to the labour yard of the Whitechapel Union for the purpose of further examining the body. I was surprised to find that the body had been stripped and was laying on the table ready for me. I made the post-mortem under great difficulties, and I now raise my protest, as I have done before, that members of the medical profession should be called upon to perform their duties under these inadequate circumstances. The place is only a shed, and quite unfitted for making post-mortem examinations.
The Coroner: There is no mortuary from the City right up to Bow.
Mr. Phillips continuing: The body had probably been partially washed. There was a bruise over the right temple and on the upper eyelid. There were other bruises on the chest. The stiffness of the limbs is now well marked. The finger nails were turgid. There were abrasions on the ring finger. On the head being opened, the membranes of the brain were found to be opaque, and the veins loaded with blood of a dark character. There was a large quantity of fluid between the membranes and the substance of the brain. The throat had been cut from the left side. The cause of death arose from the throat being cut.
What sort of instrument had been used?-I should say that the same instrument for the cutting the throat as for the after mutilations. It must have been a very sharp knife with a thin blade, from six to eight inches in length-probably longer. It could not have been a bayonet or a sword bayonet. The knife may have been one such as a slaughterer uses, well ground down. I think the knives used by cobblers would not have been long enough. There were indications of anatomical knowledge displayed by the person who mutilated the corpse.
The Coroner: Is there anything missing?-Yes, a portion of the body from the abdomen.
You say anatomical knowledge was displayed?-Yes: the mode in which the intestines were abstracted showed some anatomical knowledge, but there was also evidence of haste.
How long do you think the deceased had been dead?-At least two hours-probably more.
Was the whole of the body there?-No. The absent portions were from the abdomen. I think the mode in which they were extracted did show some anatomical knowledge. I am positive there were indications of a struggle in the yard. The deceased had disease of the lungs of long standing and of the membranes of the brain. There was a full meal in the stomach. Although the deceased was fatty there were signs of great deprivation. I am convinced there had been no strong alcohol taken immediately before death. The marks of bruises on the face were evidently recent, especially about the chin and the sides of the jaws. The bruises about the chest were of long standing, probably of days. I am of opinion that the person who cut the deceased's throat took hold of the chin, and then commenced the incision from left to right.
The nurse from the workhouse was now in attendance and was called. Previously to her being sworn, Dr. Phillips identified the deceased's handkerchief, which had been found round her neck, and had afterwards been washed.
Mary Elizabeth Simonds said: I am a nurse at the Whitechapel Union Infirmary. On September 8 I was requested to attend the mortuary with the senior nurse, whose name I think is Francis Wright. I first saw the body on the ambulance in the yard. It was afterwards taken to the shed and placed on a table.
Were you directed to undress it?-Yes; by the Inspector, I think. (Inspector Chandler was identified as the officer who gave the instruction.) I took the clothes off. I left the handkerchief round the neck.
Did you wash the body at all?-Yes, we washed the stains of blood from the body. There were stains over the lower part of the body and the legs. There was blood about the chest which seemed to have run down from the throat. I found the pocket tied round the deceased's waist.
Inspector Chandler stated that he did not instruct the witness to wash the body, which was done at the direction of the clerk of the Board of Guardians.
The inquiry was then further adjourned to Wednesday next.
No fresh facts of importance have transpired in connection with the murder beyond the evidence given at the inquest. There have been no further arrests, but some important information respecting the two lunatics under surveillance has been obtained. The man arrested at Holloway has for some reasons been removed to the asylum at Bow. His own friends give him an indifferent character. He has been missing from home for nearly two months, and it is known that he has been in the habit of carrying several large butchers' knives about his person. Inquiries are now being made with a view to tracing his movements during the past two months. Pigott, the man arrested at Gravesend, is still under strict surveillance.
We have been informed that the body of a woman, tied up in a sack, was found at Sloane-square Station of the District Railway, yesterday. Whether the body is complete or whether any of the limbs are missing was not ascertained.
